HAMILTON, Ont. -- Justin Hickman couldn't have picked a better time to rejoin the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The international defensive end re-signed with Hamilton on Wednesday following two seasons with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. The move came just before the Ticats revealed that Canadian defensive tackle Brian Bulcke will require season-ending surgery for a torn bicep.

The loss of the six-foot-four, 285-pound Bulcke is a big one for Hamilton. The 27-year-old native of Windsor, Ont., is not only a starter for the Ticats but as a Canadian he gives the CFL club the flexibility to play an American elsewhere in the lineup.

With Bulcke hurt, the expectation is defensive tackle Linden Gaydosh, 23, the first player taken in the 2013 CFL draft, will get an opportunity to play. The six-foot-four, 305-pound Gaydosh, a native Peace River, Alta., signed with Hamilton earlier this month after being released by the NFL's Carolina Panthers.

The six-foot-two, 265-pound Hickman spent three seasons with Hamilton (2009-11) before joining the NFL's Indianapolis Colts in 2012.

Hickman was a CFL all-star in 2011 after registering a CFL-high 13 sacks.

Hickman registered 12 tackles in 12 games with the Colts.

Hamilton also added international defensive lineman Adewale Ojomo to the practice roster while releasing international receiver LaMark Brown.